Since the inception of Dee Kay Events, it has been very important to me to run a business that is full of heart, soul and fun. (If you’re not familiar how I got started in my own wedding planning business, you may want to hop over and read this.) It’s my personal philosophy that giving of yourself to someone in order to help them is the greatest gift you can ever receive. I am filled with joy when I see someone’s text filled with smiling emojis because I sent a “thinking of you” hand written card. I am humbled when I volunteer. I am grateful when I am able to make my clients simply smile on their wedding day.
Giving of myself is something that has always been a part of me. Giving is much better than receiving. Sometimes, it’s not all puppies and sparkles. I have to constantly pep myself up with the constant up and downs of a creative business. But, when you re-focus your thoughts, your entire life changes.
Maybe instead of expecting things from people, you create something for them. Maybe when you give a gift to someone, you don’t keep tabs. Give freely for the sake of giving. Maybe instead of valuing your business based on popularity or number of likes, how about run a business based on self-worth, positivity and making a difference.
As we round out and prepare for Thanksgiving 2018, I wanted to leave you with 5 silly steps to keeping yourself grounded and hopefully inspire you to serve others in your personal or professional life. We promise karma is one amazing lady. The universe will give back as much as you give in. So, make a commitment and saddle up to do the work of love, respect and kindness.
Wishing you and your families the most beautiful and love filled holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!
Five Simple Philosophies for a Beautiful Business
Let go when someone talks trash about you on social media. Not worth it at all.
Don’t seek revenge. Find comfort in karma and keep doing you.
Blinders on! Comparison is the thief of joy! Put your sunglasses on and keep working towards your goals.
Ask and you shall receive. The universe is listening! So are your friends and family. Ask for help, k?
When all else fails, buy someone else a drink. They’ll probably drink with you.
I have a special talent. A talent which my husband likes to tease me. I can be in any store, from clothing to jewelry, and for some reason I’ll be able to pick out the most luxurious item without even trying. For this reason, my husband says I may put him in the poor house one day. But, I take it as a compliment that I can weed out quality wherever I go.
New Jersey has an incredible array of choice when it comes to venues for your wedding. From 5-star cuisine, to white glove service, to breathtaking views, New Jersey is home to many luxurious wedding venues. If you are looking for something a little more extravagant or you simply have the same talent that I do, here is our Top 10 Luxury Wedding Venues in New Jersey.
(Be sure to bookmark this page and return often as we expand details and add photos and information for each venue.)
After her wedding, one of my favorite brides said to me that she didn’t realize how much she needed a NJ wedding planner until the day of her wedding. This is one of the best compliments I have ever received, but the hardest for me to convey to my wonderful couples. What is it that I do exactly? How am I of value?
Well, I am your insurance policy of happy (dubbed by the very same bride above.) I may not be able to swish my wand like every Disney godmother. Some claim I could! But, I am able to do all of the things that you may not be able to.
Consider these scenarios:
Who is going to tailor a wedding budget specific to your needs and wants?
Who is going to be the contact person on the day of the wedding?
What if your transportation breaks down, who is going to see to it that your bridal party of 10 makes it to the ceremony on time?
Who is going to coordinate all ordering of linens, tabletop décor, florals, etc. with your venue?
Who is going to make sure that your officiant arrives on time?
Who is going to make sure your band has enough time to set-up for the ceremony?
Who is going to create the vision in your head into actual design on your wedding day?
Who knows the difference between ecru and bone colored paper?
Who will be able to assist you outside the venue? (Read: Is your venue coordinator going to make sure your makeup artist arrives on time? Or, be there for the first look to straight your veil?)
NJ Wedding Planner, Coordinator or Designer? Which one?
The answer to these questions lies within what you need for your wedding day. As you premiere Jersey Shore wedding planner, we have broken it down for you.
Wedding Planner
A wedding planner takes care of all details. From assisting with search of wedding professionals and referrals, contract negotiations, budget tracking, logistics and execution of the wedding day itself. A wedding planner takes care of every detail. Sometimes a wedding planner will also offer design and styling services in order to bring your event décor vision to life.
Wedding Designer
A wedding designer concentrates solely on the design and décor of the wedding. Their goal focuses on aesthetic, so details such as contract negotiations or timelines are not included in their services. But, they have great artistic ability to transform any space and to assist with a complete style for your wedding.
Wedding Coordinator
A wedding coordinator works on a shorter timeline than a wedding planner. A coordinator will confirm all of your wedding professionals and make sure everything runs smoothly the day of the wedding. They will not be involved early on to recommend professionals or assist with design.
Lucky for you, you have come to the right place. Dee Kay Events can take care of all of the above for you. We are both left-and-right brained, meaning we see logistics as a part of design. And, design runs inherently in our veins.
Be sure to head over to our ABOUT PAGE to learn more about your premiere NJ Wedding Planner.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Being a small business is a funny thing. Sometimes you feel very alone. Sometimes you feel like you are killing it and on top of the world. Sometimes you feel you are the only one that is carrying the business. But, sometimes you realize you have an incredible support system that you have no idea how you got here without them.
My first year in business I was very self-aware of my talent, but also very aware that I had to learn. Outside of the support of my loving husband, family and friends, I consistently was reminded that I was alone in this business. I knew that my love of design and weddings could only take me so far. I had to learn. I attended every conference, near and far, to learn. I purchased, what feels likes, a million online courses. I passed wedding planning certifications. But, nothing, NOTHING, has given me an education as much as attending Engage! The Luxury Wedding Business Summit.
My first Engage! was in Montelucia in December of 2013. Here I was at the end of my very first year of business. This was my final conference for the year. I knew this would be a game changer. But, I didn’t expect what would happen next.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/82257124″ title=”SloMo Booth at Montelucia Engage! 2013″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The second I walked into registration, I felt like I was freshman in high school again. A little nervous, a little happy but a whole bunch of excited. But, then the self-doubt slid right in. I really didn’t know if anyone would like me. “What the hell are you doing here, Diane? You are no where near the success of the people around you.” These were thoughts lingering in my head as I walked through registration while I was showered with big smiles and crazy, amazing gifts.
As I headed back to my room, alone, I couldn’t help but want to run back home. That nasty little voice in my head kept creeping back in. I don’t know how, but I gathered enough courage to go to the opening sessions. I didn’t know what to expect.
Well, let me tell you something. I will never forget my very first Engage! (or, any of them, actually!). The opening sessions already provided so much inspiration, I didn’t know what to do with myself or how I was feeling. I remember being super shy at the opening reception and coming into contact with a very friendly tall man (Oh, hey, Dennis!) who was talking to a very bubbly girl (‘Sup, Christina!). I walked by with a shy smile and said “Hey” underneath my breath with a little wave. They literally put their arms around me, said welcome, and we walked to the bar for a drink. We talked for probably 30 minutes about all sorts of things. I was making friends in my high school scenario in my head. Is this real life? These are perfect strangers trying to make me feel comfortable. What the hell is this?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Later on, I was creeping around the dance floor. If you know me, you know I love to dance and I will dance at your wedding if I’m working or not. The music was so good, but what was I to do, dance by myself? Oh, come on. Ok, fine. I’ll just stand here and bop around. Then I see this happy fella looking at me and I could have sworn I knew him from somewhere. He looked SO familiar to me, but I had no idea who he was or how I may or may not know him. He waved over and told me to join his dance circle. We chatted after for a bit and I was so happy to speak to him. So incredibly friendly and so knowledgeable about all things wedding business. I thought to myself how wonderful it was that on Day 1 I made another friend who was probably new in my industry too. So cool!
Fast forward to the next day. Turns out, my new dancing friend was on stage as a speaker and one of the most popular wedding photographers in the world. Ummm, what? I had no idea. I didn’t know who you were Jose Villa, but I thank you for your kindness and including me. I still get so happy when I see you because I remember how you welcomed the new kid on the block. I will be forever grateful.
I was so naïve at Engage! that it was probably a good thing. I was so completely overwhelmed with all these feelings on Day 2 that I cried in my room. I just cried from gratefulness, from relief, from nerves, from everything. What was happening was the beginning of something I never thought would happen: the true beginning of my business. It was me going through a metamorphosis. This was me coming out of my shell. What was happening is that I finally was in an environment that understood me, that saw me for who I was. A safe place to be me and it didn’t matter how many likes I had on Instagram. It didn’t matter how many clients I had that year. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t making the big bucks. In that moment, I learned one of the most incredible lessons I will ever learn: I need not compare my beginning to someone’s middle or end. All of these wonderful people at different stages of their business all sharing their knowledge, no matter their experience.
Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce have created something so incredibly special. When I first heard Rebecca say in her opening remarks that “great minds don’t think alike, but they really do think better together,” it changed me. It opened my eyes and my heart. I started my wedding planning business purely to help people. Here I was surrounded by fellow business owners that wanted to help each other. I have finally found my home.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you are just starting out or have been in the business more than you count on both hands, I suggest putting yourself out there. Make yourself vulnerable. Make a choice to be uncomfortable. Erase the negative thoughts and flood your brain with positivity. Surround yourself with those who lift you up. Put yourself in situations where you are forced to grow. Don’t be intimidated by the celebrities of our world, they are people like you. Take it from me, at Engage! egos are checked at the door and peeling the layers of what makes us human is what is celebrated. Attend Engage! Luxury Wedding Summits, even if you are not ready. You will never be ready. But, if the timing is right, you will attract the very people that your business, and your heart, needs at that very moment.
I can write about Engage! for days. There are so many people that have helped me grow my business. But, instead of going through all of my experiences in one post, below you will find a list and some shout outs to those important few that may or may not know the impact they have had in my business. Let’s call it an Open Love Letter to Engage!
These days I don’t feel so alone anymore. I feel that even though I don’t have it all together and I am learning every day, I definitely have my tribe to turn to. Because of Engage! I have been able to grow as a small business owner, conquer fears of failure, submit to new ideas of what success means to me, design events outside of my wildest dreams, but most of all, connect with people that I get to call my friends today. Thank you, Engage! for being the fire in my heart and the family I never knew I had. I can’t wait to see you all again soon![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
AN OPEN LETTER TO ENGAGE! ATTENDEES + SPECIAL THANKS
Christina Carnevale, Paper Rock Scissors It took us being at Engage! in Arizona to meet and we only live an hour apart. Through the years you have been there for me, you have been a voice of reason and the voice of fun. I appreciate you so much and I am so proud to call you my friend.
Sarah Campbell, Intrigue Designs Where do I start? You are the epitome of “Because of Engage.” You have trusted me with styled shoots and speaking engagements. I couldn’t be more proud to call you my friend!
Kelly Karli, Kelly Karli Wedding and Events You are the first person I asked to be my mentor in my wedding planning business. Your zest for life is intoxicating and your knowledge never ending. Thank you for all that you!
Carla Ten Eyck, Carla Ten Eyck Photography Thank you for sharing your heart and letting me know that there is life after loss. You are a diamond. Please always shine bright!
Marcy Blum, Marcy Blum Associates One time at Engage!, we sat next to each other at the salon for hours and got our hair and makeup done. Thank you for sharing your experiences. You made me feel that I’m doing something right and reminded me that with time, I will grow. Please always keep your sense of humor. It’s the best thing to see on stage while you speak!
Kristi Drago Price, Editor’s Edge Dance parties at Engage! made us friends, but curating a brand keeps us together. I’m so glad we met and thank you so much for all of your coaching advice. You are a miracle worker.
Randy Fenoli, Randy Fenoli Bridal As a fellow Jersey girl, I was humbled by your kindness and approachability. You taught me a few things in our short conversation and I will never forget it!
Jennifer Stein, Destination I Do, Editor During a round table session once, you shared so many intimate things about your life and how hard it really is to be an editor. What an inspiration.
Paras Mehta, Paras Events We became instant friends and I wouldn’t want it any other way. The work that you do inspires me daily and I’m so proud of you!
Tifany Wunschl, Gourmet Invitations Your talent shines in so many ways and I’m so happy to call you my friend. You helped me design invitations for one of my favorite parties! I can’t wait to keep working together.
Rebecca Ickes Berg, Rebecca Marie Photography We always kept bumping into each other at Engage! and finally figured out we should have a real talk. You are wonderful! Keep doing what you’re doing. I love seeing your business grow.
Dennis Kwan, Dennis Kwan Destinations You are one of the first people I connected to during Engage and I thank you for being you. You are the most fun, the most kind and definitely the tallest.
Chellise, Chellise Michael Photography Your business inspires me. Your photos move me. You are simply the coolest and I’m so proud of everything you do.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Hello! I’m Diane. I’m excited to meet you and give you the confidence to make big choices, empower you to stay focused and create a wedding day full of love, fun and unique design. This is where I share my latest designs and advice for couples like you. Everyone deserves the best day ever. Time to pop the champagne, plan and celebrate!
